April 13, 2009

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Bucknell senior Billy Haire (Darien, Conn./Darien) earned his second Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week honor of the season on Monday after two strong performances against Penn State and Lehigh.

In Saturday night's 18-10 win over Lehigh, Haire collected four ground balls, forced three turnovers and also picked up his first point of the season with a second-quarter assist. That was a spectacular play, as he picked the pocket of a Lehigh player in the Bucknell zone, ran the length of the field and feathered a perfect pass to teammate Austin Winter on the doorstep to give the Bison a 5-2 lead.

Earlier in the week, Haire picked up seven ground balls in a 9-8 loss to Penn State.

On the season, Haire ranks second on the squad with 42 ground balls for a defense that ranks No. 11 nationally allowing 7.7 goals per game. He is also part of man-down unit that now ranks No. 2 in the nation, as Bison opponents are just 8-for-47 (.170) with a man advantage.

Haire now ranks second on Bucknell's career ground balls list with 156, trailing only Ryan Goodman (175 from 2002-05).

Bucknell, ranked 18th in this week's USILA Coaches' Poll and 20th in the ESPN/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll, is 7-6 overall and 5-0 in the Patriot League. The Bison travel to No. 13 Colgate this Saturday in a battle of Patriot League unbeatens. The winner will claim the league's regular-season title and the right to host the Patriot League Tournament on Apr. 24 and 26.